Charity lawnmower push receives generous suport

Jenny Stevens and Budding Foundation supporters on Adur Ferry Bridge

MOWERS might usually be used to cut things down but when it came to a charity mow, funds were growing and growing.

The Coastal Mow from Shoreham to Brighton on Saturday, June 7, brought in £673 from collections on the day, and more than £3,062 has been pledged on the JustGiving page.

Jenny Stevens pushed a 100-year-old lawnmower along the route to raise money for the Budding Foundation, a charity founded by Shoreham man Clive Gravett last year.

Mr Gravett said: “We had a great day, wet start but it got better as we moved on.

“It was very wet in Shoreham but cleared when we got to the lock gates in Southwick.”

Having crossed the Adur Ferry Bridge, the Coastal Mow crew headed to Southwick and stopped off at Carats Café for refreshments.

They then made the long haul along Basin Road South to Hove Lagoon.

After more refreshments at The Big Beach Café, the lawn mower push received generous support as it made its way through two wedding parties on the beach, then headed to Brighton Pier and on to Brighton Pavilion, before ending in the Evening Star pub near the station.

The mower was later taken on the train to Hove for a celebration party in the evening, which included live music and a fundraising raffle arranged by the pub.

Mr Gravett said : “It was probably the mower’s second train journey, as they were usually delivered by rail when it was made in 1907.”

The mower was a Thomas Green & Sons Silens Messor, a model that was made from 1859 through to the 1930s.

The aim of the charity is to raise money to inspire young people and offer them opportunities in education, sport and careers that would otherwise be unavailable.

Miss Stevens, a close family friend of Mr Gravett, said: “After a few beers, Clive convinced me to take part in an ‘event’ to help raise awareness and much-needed cash for his new charity.

“This event was titled The Coastal Mow. This is around a 12-mile walk with a very heavy piece of kit. It’s no easy task.”